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The Craigslist of cryptocurrency exchanges - that’s the phrase LocalBitcoin users employ when asked to describe the site in but a few words. In this LocalBitcoins review, we’ll check this specific exchange out, and see whether or not it lives up to the hype that’s generated around it.

And there’s a lot of hype to be had, too! If you’ve spent any time browsing some of the more-popular crypto forums or subreddits, you might have seen the name of this exchange pop up quite a few times, especially when it comes to people asking other users to recommend some reliable crypto exchange platforms.

Exchanges such as Coinbase and Binance are already established within the industry. However, is LocalBitcoins legit, and is the platform truly safe to use? Well, let’s find out!

Jong-Chan Chung

Venture Manager at Blockchain Founders Group (BFG)

How significant is the role of education in helping individuals make well-informed decisions when they're considering how to buy their first crypto assets?

Education plays a crucial role when individuals decide to make their first digital asset purchase. It provides them with the knowledge and understanding needed to identify potential risks in the young but complex world of digital assets.

Pros

  • P2P exchange
  • Supports fiat payments (wire transfer, PayPal, etc.)
  • Small fees - 1%, paid by the seller
  • Good security measures

Cons

  • Have to beware of potential scam attempts
  • Higher-than-average prices

LocalBitcoins Review: PROS

To start things off, we’ll take a look at some of the positive user LocalBitcoins reviews - those that mention the best aspects of the exchange in question.

P2P Cryptocurrency Exchange

Naturally, we should start off with the elephant in the room - the thing that makes LocalBitcoins a unique crypto trading platform.

Most cryptocurrency exchanges out there are centralized - what this means is that they follow the KYC rules, and abide by some certain regulations of the state or country that they are registered or operate in. This, in fact, has become the norm.

LocalBitcoins review: Quick Sell bar.

Centralization, however, technically goes against the central (no pun intended) philosophy of cryptocurrencies - decentralization. This is something that’s very evident when you take a look at some user LocalBitcoins reviews, too - many people mention it to be one of the best features of the platform in question.

How does decentralization manifest with LocalBitcoins, though? Simple - the platform is actually one of the rarer P2P exchanges on the market.

P2P stands for “Peer-to-Peer”. In the context of crypto trading, it refers to a trading process where you would exchange a form of currency (fiat money, or a specific type of crypto coin) with another person, and they’d provide you with the cryptocurrency of your choice.

LocalBitcoins review: Instant. Private. Secure.

Now, a P2P cryptocurrency trading platform acts as a medium between the seller and the buyer. Well, a medium where the two parties would meet up (hence the Craigslist part), and also an escrow service to ensure that the transactions go as smoothly as possible.

So - LocalBitcoins is, in fact, a P2P cryptocurrency trading platform. You register on the site, find a deal that suits you, and connect to the seller - all of that is done in your own regard!

Fewer Restrictions than With Most Exchanges

Now, one of the core aspects that come up when people discuss is LocalBitcoins legit is the fact that this particular exchange, due to its unique nature, has some fewer restrictions in place - at least when compared to the more-mainstream crypto exchanges out there.

In the realm of crypto trading, the term “restrictions” refers to the actions that you’d need to take in order to start successfully trading medium / high amounts of cryptocurrency. You see, if you only want to trade and exchange minuscule sums, you’ll be able to do so with most exchanges out there - care-free.

LocalBitcoins review: buy and sell Bitcoin everywhere.

However, things start getting a bit more complicated when you get into the higher numbers. The vast majority of exchanges are going to require you to verify your identity - that is, provide your address, and a photo of your ID.

Yet again - many of the user LocalBitcoins reviews found online will probably tell you that this isn’t exactly ideal if you’re an avid fan of decentralization.

With LocalBitcoin, things are quite interesting, too. Even though it’s a P2P crypto exchange, it doesn’t really remove all of the restrictions from the traders - it just makes them more lenient. LocalBitcoins used to offer its users the chance to trade anonymously, but due to certain regulations, this feature was discontinued.

You see, the platform has 4 distinct account verification tiers. Each of the tiers increases the amount of crypto you can trade per year.

At T0, you’ll be able to trade (send and receive) around $1000 per year. At T4, though, your account won’t have any limits, whatsoever. The full descriptions of what is required from every tier of verification can be found here.

LocalBitcoins review: LocalBitcoins website.

So, how does the platform in question stand out of the crowd when it comes to account trading restrictions? Well, as with most exchanges, user LocalBitcoins review will tell you that verification is, unfortunately, unavoidable. However, it does help out when answering questions such as “is LocalBitcoins safe?”!

On top of that, the verification tiers are more lenient than with most other exchanges, too. Pretty good!

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Decent Security Measures

As you can probably imagine yourself, security is one of the key factors when picking out the best crypto exchange platform for yourself. This is something that is echoed in user LocalBitcoins reviews, too - no matter if it’s a P2P exchange or a centralized one, security is always going to be very important for anyone participating in crypto trades.

Admittedly, as far as the question “is LocalBitcoins safe?” is concerned, there are some people who claim the platform to be a less secure option than some of its more-popular alternatives. That, however, is not something that you concern yourself with.

You see, LocalBitcoins employ all of the essential security features that you’d expect from a crypto exchange site. For starters, you’ll have the chance to activate 2FA - two-factor authentication - on your account. It’s not a mandatory feature, but you should always do so, nonetheless!

LocalBitcoins review: buy and sell from users.

Another security feature that the platform offers has to do with you actually logging into your account from a different browser or device. Same as some of the better-known exchanges, LocalBitcoins will ask you to verify your login attempt via email.

The features mentioned above refer to the security aspects of your account. But what about trading?

Well, plenty of user LocalBitcoins reviews will tell you that there are some safeguards here, too!

First of all, the platform itself acts as an escrow service for all of your crypto trades. What this means is that LocalBitcoins assume the role of a middleman - if you’re buying, say, Bitcoin, the platform will keep the coins until you pay up, and release them upon confirmation that the other person received their payment.

On top of that, LocalBitcoins also have a reputation system in place. This is a godsend as far as P2P exchanges go - with the help of this system, you can check whether the person you want to do business with is legit, and if they have a good reputation on the platform, too.

All in all, for anyone wondering is LocalBitcoins safe, rest assured - the platform has plenty of security features in place!

A Wide Range of Payment Method Options

If you’re a newcomer to the realm of cryptocurrencies, you’ll probably be really happy once you find user LocalBitcoins reviews that mention the extensive list of payment options available on the platform.

Some exchanges out there only allow you to pay for crypto coins with other cryptocurrencies - Ethereum is especially popular in this regard. While it’s great for experienced traders due to the comparatively low fees, newbies might be intimidated by the complexity of the process.

Not something to worry about with LocalBitcoins, though. The platform allows you to pay via channels such as PayPal, SEPA, WeChat, Skrill, wire transfers, and so on.

The specific payment options are going to depend on the seller of the crypto coin - however, with some research, you’ll surely be able to find an option that would suit your wants and needs!

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LocalBitcoins Review: CONS

Looking at some LocalBitcoins reviews found online, it’s obvious that the platform is quite appreciated by any crypto enthusiasts out there - especially those people who believe in the philosophy of Bitcoin, and cryptocurrency, in general. While Coinbase and Binance are the best options in regards to centralized exchange platforms, LocalBitcoins does fill a niche, as well.

Having said that, though, an exchange like this does manage to amass some less-positive feedback, too. One of the most prominent issues that LocalBitcoins face actually have to do with scams.

Potential of Being Scammed

A single google inquiry that sounds something like “is LocalBitcoins legit?” will reveal to you all of the potential scams that can happen on the site.

While it is true that LocalBitcoins employ some decent security measures, and even acts as an escrow service, there are still plenty of issues that can arise whilst performing a transaction. That is why the reputation feature exists within the site, in the first place!

LocalBitcoins review: magnifying glass held over a LocalBitcoins website page.

If you’re careful about the processes that you perform on the exchange, you should be fine. However, scam attempts are still a notable issue with P2P exchanges - LocalBitcoins isn’t exclusive in this regard.

Do always check the reputation of the seller from which you’d like to purchase your cryptocurrency, and practice proper security etiquette, in general - if you sense that something fishy's going on, it’s better to find another option, than risk potentially losing all of your assets.

Higher-than-Average Price Tags

Some user LocalBitcoins reviews point out the fact that the prices on the platform appear to be quite inflated. That might perfectly well be the case - it all depends on the payment methods.

You see, while LocalBitcoins charge a very reasonable fee (1% on all trades, the seller is charged), the actual prices of the Bitcoin that you’re purchasing depend on the available payment methods that the seller accepts. It’s commonplace for fiat currency payments (ones made via PayPal or Skrill) to possess much higher fees than those made by other crypto coins.

All in all, this is surely something to keep in mind! While not many user LocalBitcoins reviews mention this, but it might not suit anyone who’s trying to make as high of a profit as possible while trading crypto. That said, if you want to preserve as much anonymity as possible, it might be worth paying a bit more money.

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How to Use LocalBitcoins?

Now, to finish off this LocalBitcoins review, we should also look into the platform in question, too. There are some reviews online that point out the possibly-confusing nature of the site, at least for those who’ve never used it before.

Is that really the case? Well, let’s find out!

How to Register on LocalBitcoins?

For starters, let’s take a look at the registration process.

Step 1: Go to the LocalBitcoins official website.

Step 2: Press Sign up free. You’ll be asked to create a username and password, and provide your email address.

LocalBitcoins review: register a new account.

Step 3: You will now be asked to confirm your email address. Do so.

LocalBitcoins review: link sent to email.

Step 4: Next comes the profile creation page. You’ll have to enter your name, surname, phone number, and just how much are you planning to trade per year (in euros).

LocalBitcoins review: verification process.

Step 5: Finally, you’ll have to confirm your phone number by entering the code that you’ll receive on your mobile device. Once that’s done, that’s it!

The registration experience on LocalBitcoins was actually pretty simple and straightforward - while the platform lacks intricate design choices and does look a bit outdated, that does not impact its ease of use factor, whatsoever.

Once you’ve registered on the site, you’ll be able to either purchase a set amount of cryptocurrency, or continue your verification even further (in order to increase the limits of crypto you can buy).

The purchasing process is also quite simple - the most important aspect of the entire procedure is for you to find a reliable seller, and make sure that all of the details of the transaction are correct.

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Pros
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Pros
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Main Features
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  • Relatively low trading fees

Conclusions

Now, with all of that being said, and all of the most important points of the user LocalBitcoins reviews discussed and out of the way, but a single question remains - is the platform worth using?

In all honesty, it does depend on a few different factors!

If you’re a cryptocurrency enthusiast who believes in as little centralization as possible (at least when it comes to cryptocurrencies), then LocalBitcoins might, in fact, suit you quite well. While the platform does have some regulations in place now, it’s still a bit more lenient than most other, non-P2P exchanges on the market.

If, however, you’re a complete newcomer to the realm of cryptocurrencies, and are looking to purchase your first crypto coins, then a mainstream, regulated and centralized exchange would likely be a better alternative, at least until you get a proper footing in the field of crypto trading. In this field, you should try out Coinbase or Binance.

The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.

About Article's Experts & Analysts

By Jong-Chan Chung

Venture Manager at Blockchain Founders Group (BFG)

Jong-Chan Chung (Jong) is a highly experienced Web3 startup investor and company builder at Blockchain Founders Group (BFG) with a passion for decentralized finance. Jong is known for his astute investment judgment and ability to identify game-cha...

By Aaron S.

Editor-In-Chief

Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era. W...
Aaron S. Editor-In-Chief
Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.
With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.
Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.
Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.
Jong-Chan Chung Venture Manager at Blockchain Founders Group (BFG)
Jong-Chan Chung (Jong) is a highly experienced Web3 startup investor and company builder at Blockchain Founders Group (BFG) with a passion for decentralized finance. Jong is known for his astute investment judgment and ability to identify game-changing technologies that can potentially transform traditional finance. With a focus on fostering innovation and supporting the growth of promising startups, Jong has helped numerous companies raise funding and bring their products to the market. His dedication to the industry and commitment to driving change has earned him a reputation as one of the leading voices in the Web3 space. Moreover, he leads the efforts at Web3 Talents, a blockchain mentoring initiative at the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center that educates more than 1000 people annually. Born and raised in Germany, he lives in Seoul, South Korea.

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Leave your honest LocalBitcoins review

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Recent LocalBitcoins User Reviews

bee bee

5.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
07/11/2024

Fast

Fast Transaction

Evaluation

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Christ W

5.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
23/09/2024

Good

Really good. Definitely will be doing this again!

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Kendra R.S.

5.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
22/09/2024

I have good experience with LBCs

This website is the best place for selling and buying bitcoin.

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Maureen P.

5.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
19/10/2024

Short and wonderful

After reading this article, I decide to try on LCs even I heard about it so many times

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J.E. Keener

4.2/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
30/09/2024

It's helpful

I like it,it simplfies btc transaction with constant fee

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DS

4.2/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
13/11/2024

I got issue

Good but I don't know how to send btc to other localbitcoin wallets so I don't have to spend fees.

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Rustyfrets

4.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
05/09/2024

Very trusted

I used LCs for 4 years, still all good

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Lemar Reilly

4.4/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
22/11/2024

There are better platforms!

If you're unlucky to find a trader that doesn't want to release the btc you paid for you must count on difficulties to get answers from admin and very poor help from them

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Kallum Butt

4.6/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
30/11/2024

Hope will be good

Everything seems quite easy, hoping for the best as I desire to trade

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Layla-Mae Fields

4.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
09/11/2024

my trading experience was fair

my trading experience was fair, thought the seller had scammed but he was held up a little bit and I understood the situation

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josephine

2.6/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
17/09/2024

i didn't like it very much

i found the app a little limited, it could have more resources, the processing time is soooo slow :/

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Gilbert Perkins

2.8/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
30/10/2024

Pricey

The fees can be higher compared to traditional exchanges, imo

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Debbie Stevens

2.6/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
31/10/2024

May Not Be The Best Choice.

At least for those who want a more secure trading experience.

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Connor

2.6/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
03/11/2024

Can't say much

I've been researching about LocalBitcoins for some time. (In order to use it for my trades.) But it's been a mixed experience.

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alice

3.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
16/09/2024

OK.

It's ok. I found it slow. But it does what it's intended to do.

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CAMILA

2.6/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
09/11/2024

WELL

KINDA MEH I GUESS

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samantha thomas

5.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
28/11/2024

gets the job done

lbtc is a decent option for those looking for P2P trades with more control

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stone14

4.4/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
26/10/2024

agree

right on target and well-articulated, the writer has very valid points on this exchange

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lazykoala446

3.0/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
13/11/2024

average, id say...

thats my humble opinion...

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Ticklish256

2.8/5.0 - LocalBitcoins User
15/09/2024

P2P at Least

Peer-to-peer trading is a good idea, but LocalBitcoins' security procedures aren't as strong as those on other exchanges.

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FAQ

Is LocalBitcoins a legit cryptocurrency exchange platform?

Yes, LocalBitcoins is a completely legitimate Bitcoin trading platform. It's somewhat unique in that it's a peer-to-peer crypto exchange - this means that you connect with another person, and purchase your Bitcoin directly from them. Here, LocalBitcoins only acts as an escrow service.

What are the main features of LocalBitcoins?

LocalBitcoins is a P2P cryptocurrency exchange - it connects local buyers and sellers, and acts as an escrow service (a middleman) in the transaction. The exchange is relatively simple to use, offers decent security features, and possesses fewer restrictions than most other "mainstream" cryptocurrency exchanges out there.

How to pick the best crypto exchange for yourself?

Picking out the best crypto exchange for yourself, you should always focus on maintaining a balance between the essential features that all top crypto exchanges should have, and those that are important to you, personally. For example, all of the best exchanges should possess top-tier security features, but if you're looking to trade only the main cryptocurrencies, you probably don't really care too much about the variety of coins available on the exchange. It's all a case-by-case scenario!

Which cryptocurrency exchange is best for beginners?

Reading through various best crypto exchange reviews online, you're bound to notice that one of the things that most of these exchanges have in common is that they are very simple to use. While some are more straightforward and beginner-friendly than others, you shouldn't encounter any difficulties with either of the top-rated exchanges. That said, many users believe that KuCoin is one of the simpler exchanges on the current market.

What is the difference between a crypto exchange and a brokerage?

In layman's terms, a cryptocurrency exchange is a place where you meet and exchange cryptocurrencies with another person. The exchange platform (i.e. Binance) acts as a middleman - it connects you (your offer or request) with that other person (the seller or the buyer). With a brokerage, however, there is no “other person” - you come and exchange your crypto coins or fiat money with the platform in question, without the interference of any third party. When considering cryptocurrency exchange rankings, though, both of these types of businesses (exchanges and brokerages) are usually just thrown under the umbrella term - exchange. This is done for the sake of simplicity.

Are all the top cryptocurrency exchanges based in the United States?

No, definitely not! While some of the top cryptocurrency exchanges are, indeed, based in the United States (i.e. KuCoin or Kraken), there are other very well-known industry leaders that are located all over the world. For example, Binance is based in Tokyo, Japan, while Bittrex is located in Liechtenstein. While there are many reasons for why an exchange would prefer to be based in one location over another, most of them boil down to business intricacies, and usually have no effect on the user of the platform.

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